However, the state of AI is advancing, and a threat lies on the horizon. Humanoid robots are clearly artificial, yet acquiring increasingly human-like grace. Eventually, they may become as indistinguishable from us as Bishop was from the crew on the Sulaco.
For now, the humanity of writing isn't on trial. We still value the masterwork of a craftsman over the fabrication of a machine. An Ikea desk is functionally disposable, while a beautiful hand-crafted walnut desk evokes something meaningful to a person sitting at it and will be passed down through generations. We choose crafted over fabricated because we still recognize the inherent meaning and human connection in the work.
But as Dr. Zsolnai-Fehér of Two Minute Papers emphasizes, "we are always only two papers away." We are constantly on the cusp of the next breakthrough.
What happens tomorrow? The real danger to the future of creativity arises when craft and fabrication become indistinguishable. When AI can create narratives as ingeniously as Asimov's Nestor, the robot who told beautiful, comforting lies to spare human feelings. When both human and synthetic narratives can be presented to a person, and they can no longer perceive or value the difference.
Your article is a first step in championing our defense.
Thanks for the comment Seumas. I think if and when AI can write as well as humans, people will still want to read the thoughts, opinions, and experiences from another person.
Back to the example in the article, I'd rather read about your real-life experience stuck at sea than a better-written story from a robot who is stuck at sea.
It means something if a person writes about happiness, fear, etc. What would it mean for a robot to write the same words?
To your point about the Ikea desk, maybe AI writing is best suited to writing the instructions for how to put the desk together. I don't need the human touch for that.
Use a pen on paper and write only words you think. Not what you hear or see. That will do the trick.
Agreed, Andrew.
However, the state of AI is advancing, and a threat lies on the horizon. Humanoid robots are clearly artificial, yet acquiring increasingly human-like grace. Eventually, they may become as indistinguishable from us as Bishop was from the crew on the Sulaco.
For now, the humanity of writing isn't on trial. We still value the masterwork of a craftsman over the fabrication of a machine. An Ikea desk is functionally disposable, while a beautiful hand-crafted walnut desk evokes something meaningful to a person sitting at it and will be passed down through generations. We choose crafted over fabricated because we still recognize the inherent meaning and human connection in the work.
But as Dr. Zsolnai-Fehér of Two Minute Papers emphasizes, "we are always only two papers away." We are constantly on the cusp of the next breakthrough.
What happens tomorrow? The real danger to the future of creativity arises when craft and fabrication become indistinguishable. When AI can create narratives as ingeniously as Asimov's Nestor, the robot who told beautiful, comforting lies to spare human feelings. When both human and synthetic narratives can be presented to a person, and they can no longer perceive or value the difference.
Your article is a first step in championing our defense.
Thank you for writing it.
Thanks for the comment Seumas. I think if and when AI can write as well as humans, people will still want to read the thoughts, opinions, and experiences from another person.
Back to the example in the article, I'd rather read about your real-life experience stuck at sea than a better-written story from a robot who is stuck at sea.
It means something if a person writes about happiness, fear, etc. What would it mean for a robot to write the same words?
To your point about the Ikea desk, maybe AI writing is best suited to writing the instructions for how to put the desk together. I don't need the human touch for that.